Ex-POWs Head Home to Relieved Communities

Seven former prisoners of war were on their way back to their home posts Saturday, much to the relief of community members who for weeks anxiously hoped for their safe return.

"I think there was a bit of fear with all of us," Fort Bliss contract worker Jennifer Murphy said. "There was a fear they wouldn't be found, abandoned in a cell to rot."

The much-awaited homecomings were set for Saturday night, when a C-17 aircraft was to return five soldiers from Germany to El Paso's Fort Bliss, then head to Fort Hood in central Texas to drop off two more.

The seven were rescued April 13 after Iraqi captors abandoned their posts ahead of advancing American troops.

El Paso Mayor Raymond Caballero said there will be a big parade for the five soldiers from the Army's 507th Maintenance Company, but not until "the time is appropriate."

"We don't want to get in their lives until they're ready for it," Caballero said. "But they also understand that people are very happy to have them back."

The Fort Bliss soldiers were captured and nine comrades were killed in an attack near Nasiriyah on March 23. Another member of the 507th, Pfc. Jessica Lynch, was rescued separately in a daring commando raid April 1 and continues to recuperate in Washington.

"I'm almost in tears because this is so exciting," Banston said. "We've all gone through so much just worrying about her."

The Fort Hood soldiers rescued are Chief Warrant Officer David S. Williams, 30, of Orlando, Fla., and Chief Warrant Officer Ronald D. Young Jr., 26, of Lithia Springs, Ga. The Apache helicopter pilots were forced down in Iraq on March 24.

They were to arrive the same day Richard Anderson, an 18-year-old Pizza Hut employee, had planned for days to hold a rally in support of U.S. troops in the Fort Hood-area community of Killeen. More than 20 people held up signs and flags outside the restaurant Saturday morning.

"We had no idea they were coming back. It's just a great thing to happen," Anderson said.